Hiroki Kuroda, Anyone?

(Courtesy of Getty Images)

Another free agent pitcher the Yankees could pursue is former Dodger Hiroki Kuroda.  He's a name that's been mentioned before, but he can now officially be considered a potential target after the Dodgers signed Chris Capuano and spread some other money around elsewhere to fill their 2012 roster.  He's a longshot, so I'll spare the in-depth stuff and just go with some quick Pro/Con bullet points.

Pros

- Solid peripherals: 3.45/3.55/3.62 career tripleslash in 4 seasons with the Dodgers; 7+ K/9 in each of last 2 seasons; at least 2.1 WAR in each of his 4 seasons.

- Good command: career 2.10 BB/9

- Reliable: 180+ innings in each season he hasn't been hurt.

- Good fit for Yankee Stadium: career 48.6% GB rate.

Cons

- Old and expensive.  Kuroda is 36 now and will be 37 at the start of the 2012 season.  And based of his recent contract, he's going to be looking for at least 2 years and at least $12 million per.  Not exactly the commitment the Yankees are looking to make.

- Trending the wrong way: His GB rate dropped significantly in 2011 to a career-low 43.2%, which lead to higher LD and FB rates and a career-high HR/FB rate.  Traditionally Kuroda has looked like a good match for Yankee Stadium, but 2011 casts some doubt on that.

- Preference: Kuroda has said all along that he wanted to stay in LA or as close as possible to Japan.  The Yanks would be fighting another uphill battle if they really wanted him.

Kuroda likely plays as a #3 starter at best in the Yankee rotation, so he's not an ideal candidate to give multiple years and 8 figures to.  He probably ranks somewhere around Edwin Jackson levels of interest as a last resort, and becomes even less likely for the Yankees to pursue given that they've already locked up Freddy Garcia to be their back-of-the-rotation older innings eater.  But hey, he's out there and it's Winter Meetings week so we might as well address the possibility.

Noesi Killing It In Winter Ball

While the Hot Stove Season does a slow bubble and questions continue to surround the Yankees and their plans, assuming there are any more, to address the 2012 rotation, one man continues to fly under the radar as a possible rotation option.

That man is Hector Noesi, who after a few rough outings has really started to light it up in the Dominican Winter League, a league known for hitting.  Noesi recently won Player of the Month for November in the Liga de Beisbol Dominicano after going 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 17 K to just 6 BB over 28.1 IP.  For the season he has a 2.38 ERA and 2.70 FIP in 34.0 IP in the league with a 1.26 WHIP, just 7 total BB, and 0 HR allowed.  He's been on strict pitch counts as part of the effort to get him back up to a regular starter's workload, but he's shown improvement each time out.

Perhaps the biggest bit of news to come out his Winter League performance, however, is the report that Noesi has been sitting mid-90s on his fastball, sometimes touching 97-98.  Obviously this has to be taken with a small grain of salt, as there's no way to know how accurate the guns down there are. But if this is even remotely true, and Noesi has upped his velocity without sacrificing his calling card command (evidenced by the 7 BB), then the Yankees could be looking at Ivan Nova 2.0 in 2012 as I suggested in October.  One things for certain, as my colleague Eric Schultz at TYA put it, A.J. and Phil better watch their necks.

Yanks Hiding In The Weeds On International FAs?

Not to beat a dead horse, but it's been a slow offseason so far, both in general and for the Yankees, who went in with the stated goal of upgrading the starting rotation.  With the Winter Meetings starting tomorrow and not a lot of talk connecting the Yankees with any of the big Major League pitching targets, perhaps Cash and his staff have been playing possum on the other 2 big fish in the free agent sea, Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes.

Consider all of this: The Yanks have scouted both of them extensively; Darvish is a young, potential top-of-the-rotation talent who comes with the added benefit of not having his posting fee count towards the luxury tax and not requiring the Yankees to forfeit a draft pick; Cespedes is a young, power-hitting OFer who also won't cost the Yankees anything in terms of picks; both guys play positions that the Yankees could have a need for after this season.

And with news coming out yesterday that both Darvish and Cespedes could make themselves available some time in the next 1-2 weeks, it seems like the Yankees could be in prime position to strike on both of these guys if they truly have been spending time behind the scenes working on potential plans to sign both.  Just something to think about heading into next week's meetings.

Reading Cash Between The Lines Part II

(Photo and all quotes below courtesy of Chad Jennings at LoHud)

Last month I picked apart what Cash said and turned it into what he was really saying when he spoke at the end of the year press conference.  He was up in Stamford doing his rappel thing yesterday, and luckily for us he was a bit of a chatty Cashy.  Let's see what he said and what he really meant this time.

What He Said: “I’ll make a recommendation to ownership and they can bless it or they can tell me no, but right now we’re going to go to Dallas, we’re going to continue to engage."

What He Meant: "Hey, Randy and Hal!  You guys remember when I advised against Rafael Soriano last year and you guys overrode that recommendation?  Yeah, how'd that work out last year?  You should probably listen to me when I make my recommendations and follow my lead at the Winter Meetings.  Morons."

What He Said: “… Right now, if you’re asking me do I expect to do something in the next week? No. But I’ve had enough conversations where I could wind up doing something today. A lot of work has been done. A lot of conversations have been had. If somebody bends or adjusts, then I’m ready to make a recommendation for us to make a move.”

What He Meant: "We know exactly who we want to target and exactly what we're willing to pay or give up to get them.  Right now, asking prices are too high, but I'm not as stupid as these other GMs may think and I expect them to come down.  And when they do, we'll make our offers to get our guys."

What He Said: “There’s not a primary, obvious, stated target that everybody knows about."

What He Meant: "You idiots think we aren't flying under the radar on some guys?  Have you been around the last couple offseasons???  Duh!"

What He Said: "Obviously a big effort on our part was CC Sabathia and retaining him."

What He Meant: "Oh yeah, did I mention we signed the biggest potential free agent starting pitcher this offseason before he even became a free agent?  Funny how everybody seems to have forgotten that move already."

What He Said: "At the same time, we’ve got a lot of talent on this payroll, I mean, on this roster. And our payroll is not limited, it’s just not."

What He Meant: "Any teams out there interested in Wilson or Darvish better be ready to come with the check books open.  Because seriously in on them or not, I can spend more than you and I'm not afraid to fuck around in the rumor mills just to drive up the price you eventually pay.  So if you think I'm bluffing on a better offer than yours, you better be guessing right."

What He Said: "If it makes sense, we’re ready to rock and roll, but if it doesn’t make sense, we’ll look at what we have and appreciate what we’ve got and be ready to go with what we’ve got.”

What He Meant: "I know what I'm willing to trade to get the guys I want and what I'm willing to offer to the free agents I want.  If those scenarios don't come up, I know we can win with the team we have right now.  That's why I re-signed Freddy quickly, and that's why I haven't been quick to offer up our young pitching prospects because I know they can do the job if and when they're called on."

What He Said:  “As we continue to look outside for pitching, the next guy we’ve got coming is Noesi.  Behind that is Betances and Banuelos and Warren and Phelps. We are producing some serious pitching that we’re proud of. Robertson and what he did this past year, just the continuation of what’s been a great pro career so far. We’re going to continue to look for ways to reinforce it, but we’re proud of what we’ve got and have high hopes for what’s coming.”

What He Meant: "All you other teams and scouts and ESPN personalities that think we can't develop young pitching can suck my dick."

Just Cash being Cash.  Loves what he has, knows he can win with it, knows everybody else knows that too, and is still out there stirring the pot and preparing for any good situation that presents itself for the Yankees.  The guy seems locked in and ready to do his thing at the Winter Meetings.  It wouldn't surprise me if he swindled some other GMs out of their wives by the time he's done.

Friday "Best In The Biz" Linkapalooza

As is inconsistent tradition on Friday afternoons, it's time again for another batch of links to get you through the rest of your work week.  Today we're just taking a hot lap around the Yankosphere and seeing what the best in the industry have to offer.

- It's been out there for a few days already, but if you haven't checked it out, Sensei John Kreese of NoMaas talked to Sr. VP of Baseball Ops Mark Newman about the new CBA and how it affects the Yankees.  Must read, it's as simple as that.

- William of The Captain's Blog examined Bernie Williams' HOF candidacy, both in the context of comparing him to other CFers and comparing him to his steroid-tainted peers from his era.  As a Yankee fan, I'd love to see Bernie get in, but I don't see how it happens.

- Also on the topic of 'roids, Brien of IIATMS explains his rationale for not considering PED use when he looks at HOF candidates.  If only all the voters felt the same way.

- Brandon C. of Pinstripe Alley discusses Jorge Posada, who has yet to officially retire or be signed by another club, and how he could potentially damage his Yankee legacy if he decides to play in 2012.  For me, it was permanently damaged after he took himself out of the lineup against the Fraud Sawx.

- Larry Koestler at RAB takes a graphical look at just how good the Yankee starting pitching was in 2011, and makes a couple of other good observations.

- Lastly, if you haven't been checking out the "Trade Match" Series that my colleague at TYA Steve S. has been doing, you're doing yourself an incredible disservice.  He talks about Chad Billingsley here, Matt Cain here, and if you go back further you can find a few more.  Definitely fun to read if you're looking to start up some interesting trade talks in the comments section.

Still Quiet On The Hot Stove Front

The Winter Meetings are right around the corner and it's looking like we're going to be in for another week of twiddling our thumbs and writing about how the Yanks could swing a 3-way trade to get Wandy Rodriguez and Ryan Braun without giving up Montero or ManBan.

Cash is going beyond just preaching patience this year.  He's flat out said he doesn't expect to get anything done.  It sounds like most trade talks he's had with other clubs are stalled because the asking price is too high, so it's probably for the best that he doesn't get too deep into those.  And truth be told, I'm OK with the Yankees standing pat on the trade front.  The only guys who really intrigue me are Danks and Matt Garza, and I don't see Ken Williams letting himself get swindled again like he did for Swish or Theo making a straight salary dump for Garza and trading him to his former rival for peanuts.

The lone bit of news on the free agent side is also a lot of nothing.  After their first face-to-face with C.J. Wilson's agent, the report from Marc Carig is that the Yankees haven't been rushing to set up a second meeting, which suggests a lack of interest from the Yankees' side.  Again, I'm alright with this play if the Yanks truly aren't interested in Wilson.  He's going to be the most expensive guy to sign in terms of years and money and the $100 million figure has already been thrown out there.  Thanks, but no thanks, dude.

It's boring and it's slow, but when you already have pretty much your entire roster intact and not a lot of holes to fill like the Yankees do, that's alright.

Why I Hate The New CBA

There's been CBA talk out the wazoo lately, and with good reason.  The new agreement between Major League Baseball and the players will lead to over 2 decades of continuous labor peace for baseball, which is great news if you're a Yankee fan or a baseball fan in general.  And generally I agree with all that's already been said in analyzing the new agreement.  I agree that today's players and owners made a sweet deal for themselves while overlooking future players; I agree that the new rules on draft slotting and limits put on international free agent spending are a blow to the Yankees; I agree that the new luxury tax rules that will come work to the Yankees' advantage.  All of my colleagues at TYA have already done a fantastic job at breaking down the good and bad in this new deal, and I agree with their points so there's no sense in re-hashing any of that here.

My biggest problem with the new CBA, and the whole labor negotiation process in sports as it's been a big part of the recent NFL and NBA news, is the constant talk about "competitive balance" and the strive for parity amongst the teams that has become the new goal in baseball.  In my opinion, that goes against everything that sports is supposed to be about and what life is supposed to be about.  In professional baseball, the goal is to win.  You get more hits, you score more runs, you make more good pitches and good plays in the field, you win the game.  You win more games, you make the playoffs.  You win in the playoffs and get a championship.  It's similar in life.  You use your talents and skill sets to the best of your ability to make a more successful life for yourself, whether it's a better job, more money, a nice house, a family, whatever.

Some people are bigger than others, faster than others, smarter than others, prettier than others, work harder than others, and some people come from backgrounds and family situations that give them greater opportunity to be successful in life.  And in the world there are a bunch of winners and a bunch of losers.  It's harsh, but it's reality.  Baseball is no different.  Some teams have better players, better coaches, better scouts, better facilities, and more money and resources to help maximize the opportunity for success for their players as individuals and their organization as a whole.  And this constant drive for parity, evening things out so the loser teams can catch up to the winner teams, is flat out unfair to those winner teams.

It's not the Yankees' fault that they have better players on their roster and more money than everybody else to spend on better players, be they high school or college draft picks, international free agents, or high-profile MLB free agents.  It's not their fault that the Pirates don't have that much money to spend, or that the Orioles can't develop any of their high draft picks to become "great" players, or that nobody wanted to go watch the Marlins in their crappy old stadium.  And the Yankees shouldn't be treated like it is.  They already contribute their chunk to revenue sharing every season and to the luxury tax.  It's the price they have to pay as a winner and they accept it.  But to continue to have their advantages taken away from them and to continue to have to pay more prices in ways that limit their strengths in an attempt to try to turn everybody into a winner is wrong.  Whether the new rules help achieve that goal or not is irrelevant.  It's the fact that the losers are being given opportunities to be a winner that they didn't earn at the expense of teams, like the Yankees, who have already earned their winner statuses.

You Know It's Christmas Season When...

Cash is rappelling down the side of the Landmark Building in Stamford, CT again!  I was more excited for this last year when he did his inaugural rappel than I was for anything else during Christmas season and it's going to be more of the same this year when Cash repeats the feat.  Because if Cash is rappelling down buildings in elf suits, that means it's time for the Cashman Elf Photoshop!

Happy Holidays indeed!

Sawxenfreude 2.0 Has Already Started...

You can't make this stuff up.

"A Boston Red Sox official told at least one player at the beginning of the managerial search that they 'weren't going to hire Bobby Valentine or someone like that,' a clubhouse source told ESPNBoston.com last week.

The conversation suggests that Valentine, known as a no-nonsense manager in stints with the Mets and Rangers over 15 years, was perceived by some as a darkhorse candidate that would not be popular with some players.

'They're going to have a mess on their hands,' the source said when asked what would happen if Valentine, who at that time was just one of several candidates, was hired.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney had heard similar rumblings, citing sources Wednesday saying that 'some Red Sox players have been upset' that Valentine had emerged as a candidate and have been 'grumbling to each other, through texts and phone calls.'"

Holy shit, are you serious???  Already?????

I mean, I knew this was going to blow up in Bahhston's face.  I was only 20% joking with my Bobby V posts the last couple days.  But the dude has literally been on the job for less than a day and word around the Fraud Sawx water cooler is that players aren't happy and they're texting each other about it like little girls because their days of not working out, skipping their side sessions, and playing MW3 online are over.  Sources are popping up out of the woodwork to talk anonymously to anybody with a press credential.  It's like Beer&ChickenGate all over again.

And it's FUCKING AWESOME!!!

(story courtesy of The Worldwide Leader in Fraud Sawx Nation)

Just Say No To Matt Thornton

As the Hot Stove season continues to be lukewarm for the Yankees, people are starting to get a little antsy and understandably so.  There's only so long we as fans and bloggers can wait to see which free agents the Yankees sign and what killer trades Cash makes to build the team up to the 160-2 juggernaut we all wish it would be next year.  But when the talk starts turning back to mid-30s lefty specialist relievers and there is serious analysis being done on the most expensive one, that's where the line from "antsy" gets crossed and we start jumping into 'bizarro world" territory.

So to everybody out there who's reading the chatter and rumors and analysis, and either seriously considering wanting Matt Thornton in the bullpen next year or already craving him, let me say this.

Stop it.  Just stop it.  The Yankees don't need Matt Thornton in the bullpen next season anymore than they need A.J. Burnett to be a part of the bullpen next season.  Let's review the current lay of the land out there beyond right field:

• Mariano Rivera (greatest closer of all time)
• Dave Robertson (best setup man in baseball in 2011)
• Rafael Soriano (former closer/setup man with shutdown stuff when healthy)
• Boone Logan (serviceable LOOGY most of the time)
• Cory Wade (above-average middle innings guy)
• Joba Chamberlain (solid career reliever who should be back by late summer)
• Hector Noesi (above-average reliever who should be a starter but could get bumped back to the long man role)

Do you see that?  That's the best bullpen in baseball right there.  And it's pretty damn full and pretty damn full of guys who are already tough on lefties.  And after the back-to-back debacle of Damaso Marte and Pedro Feliciano, and the long line of 30-something relievers that the Yankees have handed contracts to, why would anybody even want to go down that road AGAIN??

I get that Matt Thornton is nasty, I do.  In the right situation, it would make perfect sense to bring in a guy with a career K/9 slightly below 10 and a very low HR/9 rate who murders left-handed hitting.  But when the situation is what it currently is in the Yankee 'pen, and adding this lefty murderer is going to cost prospects as well as 2 years and $12 million, that just doesn't make sense.  It's like spending time putting expensive rims on a Maybach.  It's already a badass fucking car, it doesn't need anything else gaudy on it.  Just leave it alone and let it be badass.

In short, just say "No" to Matt Thornton.

My Bobby V Pleas Were Heard!!

And I couldn't be happier.  Congratulations, Fraud Sawx Nation.  Embrace your new savior.  Judging by his past choices of dugout wear, he should fit right in with the biggest group of phonies and phony fans in the world.

I'm especially loving the details from the story that seem to indicate ownership and the GM might not have been on the same page on this decision too.  Because nothing helps start the recovery process from the biggest collapse in baseball history like having a fractured decision-making group making major personnel decisions.  Especially when that fractured group is bringing in a known question mark when it comes to dealing with players.  Things are already looking up in Beantown!

P.S.- I really hope Cash comes out of left field some time in the next 48 hours with a monster trade just to steal the Fraud Sawx's thunder here.

Happy Birthday, Mo

It still feels weird wishing a cybernetic organism from some distant planet in the future a birthday.  I mean, honestly, do they even technically have birthdays?  And if they do, what are you supposed to get them?  But according to his cover story, today is Mo's birthday and I am obligated as a Yankee blogger, Yankee fan, and pathetic mere mortal to wish him a happy birthday and bow down to his all-worldly greatness.

He doesn't know if he's going to come back after his contract is up at the end of the 2012 season, so this may be the last time we get to wish him a happy b-day while he's still active and not returning to his home planet.

Happy birthday, Mo.  You're the greatest individual athlete at one position in the history of sports and I think I speak for Yankee fans everywhere when I say that we love having the privilege of watching you do your thing each and every year and will truly miss it when the day comes that you decide to no longer do said thing.

P.S.- I feel so much cooler knowing that my birthday is so close to Mo's.

Morning Trade Whispers

According to Joel Sherman, the Yankees aren't having any "hi-level" trade talks with other teams right now.  With rumors swirling about Matt Garza, hopes being had by many for John Danks, and dreams (however unrealistic they are) still existing for King Felix, I think we can assume that those guys aren't being discussed right now as they would all be "hi-level" targets.

And that can mean only one thing.  The Yanks are looking to move A.J.  After all, a 5.15 ERA and 4.77 FIP doesn't exactly scream "hi-level" performance.

/crosses fingers

What Was That, Mike?

Not Yankee-related, and definitely crude and sophomoric, but too hilarious not to post.  Fucking Francesa.

I only wish Russo could have been there to burst out laughing like a little kid.

"BADJOBINABIGSPOTDERE, MICHAEL!!!"

I Really Hope The Fraud Sawx Hire Bobby V As Their New Manager

I mean I really REALLY REALLY hope it happens.  I hope it happens more than I hope I get what I want for Christmas, more than I hope the Yankees add another starting pitcher besides Freddy, and more than I hope scientists one day find a cure for cancer.  Just look at some of these quotes from Andrew Marchand's piece on ESPNNY today:

"More than once, I had to remind him that asking a question is not not necessarily questioning a move. Over the two years, I never became 'one of his guys,' but I was also not in the smaller camp that hated him."

"He likes to be liked, which is probably his biggest drawback. If there are 10 people in a room and nine think he is a genius, he is concerned about the 10th. From my experience, the 10th person is usually wrong on Bobby V. But V can't let it go."

"Valentine was always getting into it with someone."

"... things were so dysfunctional between GM Steve Phillips and Valentine that Phillips would call [Bobby] Jones back to the majors later in the year."

Marchand's premise that the Yanks-Sawx rivalry "needs" Valentine is stupid, but the idea of this guy being the one to come in and straighten out the Fraud Sawx ship is even more laughable.  He's an ego maniac who always thinks he's right, has a reputation for arguing with upper management, and always seems to be fighting with his players in the clubhouse about one thing or another.  And now he's going to come in and manage a team fresh off a season of disappointment stemming from a lack of leadership, accountability, and effort from their disjointed collection of spoiled players, and whose roster will still likely employ most of the players blamed for said lack of leadership, accountability and effort?  Yeah, that should work out just fine.  Add in a collection of media guys whose sole goal in life seems to be stirring the pot, an ownership group with a longstanding reputation for throwing people under the bus, and a fanbase with such a sickening sense of entitlement that they practically expect to be handed the World Series trophy every year and it'll be a miracle if Fenway is still standing and Valentine is still alive come mid-2012.

So please, Ben Cherington.  Please sign Bobby V.  He's just what your team needs to rebound from the collapse of 2011.  And by "rebound," I mean continue to spiral downward in a torrent of finger pointing, infighting, excuse making, and general indifference from the players until you're forced to completely blow up the team and go back to being the sadsack, loser organization that we all know you are.

Possible Reasons For The Freddy Re-Signing

(How will The Garbage Man fit into the 2012 rotation plans?)

Freddy Garcia was an absolute steal for the Yankees in 2011.  Considering the fact that he was brought in on a non-guaranteed deal and was really only supposed to be a placeholder for one of the young arms in Triple-A and the Yankees ended up getting 146.2 IP of 3.62/4.12/4.36 ball out of him, you could make the argument that Freddy was their best addition last year.  That being said, I think it was still a bit of a surprise to most of us that the Yankees re-signed him this early in the offseason.  As I stated last week, I pictured Freddy as more of a last resort for the Yanks again if they weren't able to land any of the bigger FA pitchers.  So Freddy being back in the fold already has to mean one of 3 things.

1) The Yankees Are Confident With the 5 Guys They Have

Freddy being back gives the Yankees a complete 5-man rotation right now with him, CC, Nova, A.J., and Phil.  And with the strides that Nova made last year, the confidence the team already has that Phil will rebound in 2012 thanks to the extra laps he's running at the fat farm in Cali, and CC being CC, perhaps the feeling is that they can win again with that rotation and the rest of the roster around them.  Freddy is certainly no slouch to have at the back of the rotation, and with the previously-mentioned stockpile of young ammunition at Triple-A, the Yankees are well covered in case injuries or poor production hinder one of these 5. 

2) The Yankees Don't Like Any of the Big Free Agent Pitchers Available

Myself, along with everybody else in the blogosphere, has spent time analyzing the bigger name pitchers available this offseason.  And while they each come with their own set of strengths and potential bonuses they bring to the table, there are various risks associated with all of them, be it performance-related, injury-related, or transitioning to the AL East-related.  If nobody out there stands out as a sure thing in the eyes of the front office, perhaps they will decide it's not worth the extra money and years it will take to sign one of them.  Instead, they can just go low-risk on a guy who just proved he could get it done in New York and continue to bide their time until guys like ManBan and Betances are ready.

3) The Yankees Are Looking to Make a Trade

It certainly wouldn't be the first time that Cash has flown under the radar during Hot Stove season, and there are some potential trade targets out there that could be more attractive than throwing big money at a C.J. Wilson or a Yu Darvish.  It won't be the Josh Johnson or Felix Hernandez blockbuster that some fans out there are still clamoring for, but guys like John Danks, Jair Jurrjens, and Gio Gonzalez could probably be had for way less than it would take to get Johnson or King Felix.  And with the continued struggles of A.J. and Phil, maybe the front office has grown tired of waiting for them and are looking to see what teams, if any, are interested in including one of them in a deal.  If that's the case, Freddy is essentially replacing them in the rotation and leaving a spot open for a new guy.

I'm tending to lean more towards the #2 and #3 scenarios described above.  I can't see the Yankees holding pat with the staff they currently have after they were adamant in saying their goal this offseason was to improve the rotation.  And while bringing Freddy back is a part of that, I just can't see any way that he's the only part, especially considering the possibility that he doesn't repeat his solid 2011 campaign.  It will be interesting to see how the Yankees operate over the next couple of weeks.  That should shed some light on what they're trying to do and how re-signing Freddy fits into those plans.

Post-Thanksgiving Update

Between the Thanksgiving-birthday-Ranger game 3-day bender that just ended last night, you've probably noticed that the site hasn't been very active this weekend.  Thankfully there hasn't been much happening in Yankeeland other than the Freddy Garcia signing, so I didn't miss much.

But vacation's over, I'm back in WI and I'll be getting back into the routine tomorrow for everyone who's been dying without AB4AR the last couple days.  And I know I said the AB4AR Top 30 would be starting in November, but that clearly hasn't happened and I apologize for that.  Hopefully later this week or early next week that will start to come together.

In the mean time, do me a solid and head over to the AB4AR Facebook page and "Like" the hell out of it.  I'm trying to get those numbers up.

Quick Reaction To The Freddy Signing

The Yanks threw a bit of curveball yesterday and announced they had re-signed Freddy Garcia to a 1-year deal.  After his successful season in 2011, this deal is significantly better than his non-guaranteed MiL one from last year, reported to be for $5 million.

I always thought that if Freddy was coming back to the Yankees he would be a late signee if their other targets fell through and that if he signed early in the offseason it would be because another team liked what they saw from him last year and wanted to snatch him up quick.  So with this being announced before any talks with the Wilsons, Oswalts, and Buehrles of the world going anywhere, I think this has to signal the Yankees having a plan to make a trade or 2 and move somebody currently in the rotation (possibly Phil Hughes).

Unfortunately, that's all I care to say on the topic right now.  It's my birthday today, so instead of analyzing the re-signing and thinking about what the Yankees could/should do I'm going to party like it's my birthday and sip Bacardi like it's my birthday.  And you know I don't give a fuck 'cause it's my birthday.

What The Yankees Should Be Thankful For This Year

To some of us, it might seem like being a member of the New York Yankees is a cakewalk.  Getting paid millions of dollars to play a game for a living, playing that game for the most well-recognized team in the history of sports, playing it in front of a packed house every night, winning titles, doing commercials, dating supermodels and actresses and singers, etc.  I know I wouldn't mind living that life.  But don't let that fool you into thinking that these guys take what they have for granted and are totally made in the shade.  Oh no, they still have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.  For example:

- Mark Teixeira should be thankful that popping up on the infield with runners on base isn't a fineable offense in the organization.  If it was, he probably wouldn't be able to afford cranberry sauce this year.

- A.J. Burnett should be thankful that he had Russell Martin behind the plate all season in 2011.  Who knows how high A.J.'s record-setting wild pitch totals would have been with somebody else back there?

- Boone Logan should be thankful that he doesn't have to face any lefties for another couple months.

- Robbie Cano should be thankful that he hired Scott Boras as his agent.  Whether Boras was joking last month when talking about Cano's contract or not, Cano is an MVP-caliber player and being with Boras all but guarantees he's going to get paid like one.

- Joba should be thankful that Phil Hughes will be stealing all the "what kind of shape is he in?" storylines that are usually reserved for him when pitchers and catchers report in 2012.

- Rafael Soriano should be thankful that Joba won't be back until the summer of 2012 at the earliest, otherwise he could be looking at becoming baseball's first $11 million 6th-Inning Guy.  Oh, and don't worry if Soriano isn't smiling.  He's definitely thankful.  Trust me.

- Alex Rodriguez should be thankful that he gets to hang out with all these hot chicks.... Or something like that.

- Swish should be thankful that The Boss isn't still running the show.  If he was, Swish's option probably would have been declined in favor of the New Kid on The Block, Yoenis Cespedes.

- Mo should be thankful that his career involves coming out to "Enter Sandman" and not singing "Enter Sandman" if he ends up needing this rumored vocal chord surgery.

- Cash should be thankful that Cliff Lee isn't available again this offseason.  He's already 0 for 2 going after Clifton, probably best that he doesn't get a chance to strike out.

As for me, I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my health, and the fact that I root for and write about a team whose biggest issues are deciding which free agent starter(s) they want to add to the rotation and making sure their All-Star first and third basemen bounce back in 2012.  No clubhouse drinking witch hunts, no GMs jumping ship, and no re-working the stadium dimensions to better fit the Little League-level talent of their lineup.  It's very easy to forget how spoiled we are as Yankee fans, especially when I throw up a post openly whining about Phil Hughes, but what better time to remember how good we all have it than this season of giving?

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, everybody.  Eat too much, drink too much, and make sure to take a dig or two at any family members who are Met or Fraud Sawx fans.

Mo Hangin' Em Up After 2012?

Via The Post:

"I don’t know what will happen.  I have one year left. I might call it over. I will know more in spring training."

Say it ain't so, Mo!  I didn't think robots even could retire.  Isn't that one of Asimov's 3 Laws?

In all seriousness, I wouldn't put much weight in this statement right now.  Mo's going through a tough time with his voice and possible upcoming vocal chord surgery.  We'll see how his tune changes when he gets over this and gets back in camp with the guys.

Phil Hughes And The Hard Lesson Of Prospect Hugging

(Phil Hughes, master of packing on mass)

I'm usually pretty good about letting things go when it comes to the Yankees (except some of Joe's bullpen moves and sac bunts), but one thing that still stuck in my craw right now is the recent revelation that Phil Hughes came into camp out of shape in 2011 and the suggestion by the organization that he's going to bounce back in 2012 because he's spending this offseason training hard again and getting back to the shape he was in before 2010.

I'm on the record as stating that I'm an unabashed Hughes fan and apologist.  He's listed on my "AB4AR Man Crush Hall of Fame" and even this disastrous 2011 season and recent news that could possibly explain that disaster won't change that.  But 2011 and the constant ups and downs in Hughes' career over the past few seasons, after the high hopes that were held for him and the pedestal he was put on early in his Minor League career, are just the latest reminder that baseball prospects are as tricky and unpredictable a business as anything and we as fans would be wise to never get too attached to any of them.

Prospects typically don't pan out for one of three reasons: injury, lack of skill development, or lack of personal/professional development.  What makes Phil Hughes' case particularly frustrating is that he has been a victim (probably the wrong word) to all three of those pitfalls.  Since making his Major League debut in 2007, Hughes has suffered injuries to his hamstring, oblique muscle and ribs, and his throwing shoulder.  He's gone from a pitcher known for a great fastball and curveball with command to match to a pitcher with a questionable fastball, a curveball that is inconsistent, an array of other offspeed pitches that he has tinkered with on and off but none that he's used enough to become effective, and command that seems to come and go at any time.  And now he has confirmed some of the whispers that have been around regarding his work ethic by having the organization confirm that he came into camp out of shape in 2011 because he didn't go to the training facility that he used prior to his career-best 2010 season.

The resume that Hughes had prior to 2007 paints him as a can't-miss, sure thing, "no doubt about it" future All Star, Cy Young winner, and Hall of Famer:

• 2004 High School 1st Team All-American
• 2004 MLB Draft 1st-Round Pick (Age 18)
• 2006- Named #1 Yankee Prospect by Baseball America, called one of the best pitching prospects in the Minors (Age 20)
• 2007- Named #2 Prospect in all of baseball by Baseball Digest (Age 20)
• 2007- Invited to Yankees' Spring Training (Age 20)
• 2007- Threw 6.1 no-hit innings in just his 2nd career start (Age 20)

He was on the fast track to being the next great Yankee pitcher, right up there with Whitey Ford and Ron Guidry.  But since then things haven't panned out, for the reasons mentioned above.  This is not to say that Hughes is at complete fault for how his career path has gone in the Majors.  It's not like the guy wanted and tried to pull his hamstring or break his ribs.  It just happened.  And the Yankees certainly didn't do him any favors by shuttling him from the rotation to the bullpen and back from '09 to 2010.  But when a prospect is as hyped as Hughes was, and you buy into that hype as much as I did, and then the performance doesn't match the hype, it's a crushing blow to the fan ego.

I should be wearing Phil Hughes jerseys to the office at work and boring all my friends to tears with stories about how I always knew he was going to be this good because of his MiL K rates as he prepares for another season as the Yankees' ace.  Instead, I'm sobbing into a pillow at night while listening to "Unbreak My Heart" by Toni Braxton after each of his inefficient 4-inning outings and cursing myself for being duped while I read that Hughes is going to a glorified fat camp in California and will come into the 2012 season once again on the fringe of making the rotation.  It all adds up to the same conclusion you have to come to with prospects, that conclusion being that you just never know. 

And it is this not knowing that we as Yankee fans must always be mindful of and remember when evaluating prospects.  Manny Banuelos could be the second coming of Johan Santana or he could be a pile of crap.  Mason Williams might turn into the next Ken Griffey Jr. or he might be bagging my groceries in three years.  Dante Bichette Jr. could become a better player than his old man or he could break his leg in a car accident when somebody runs a red light and never play again.

There are so many factors, both internal in terms of a player's own makeup and external in terms of the situation they're in, the coaching they receive, and the luck (good or bad) they experience, that contribute to how his career plays out.  And there's no way for us to know how all of those factors are going to add up for each player.  Because of this, we cannot allow ourselves as fans to get too attached to any prospect, no matter how amazing his stats look or how high his ceiling is.  Phil Hughes is just the latest example, and I'm as guilty as anybody for drinking the Hughes-Aid for as long as I have.  And now I have nobody but to blame but myself for being hurt by Phil and his inability to live up to the hype.

Prospects are like hot girls you meet at the bar who turn out to be crazy.  You can talk to them and about them, look at them, have fun with them.  But don't get too attached to them.  Because more often than not, you're just going to end up getting hurt if you do.

Yankees Sticking It To The 99%

From the team's press release earlier today announcing ticket pricing updates for 2012:

"All seats in the Field Level between the bases will be unchanged or reduced, while seats in the Field Level outfield sections located in fair territory (Sections 103-104 and 132-136) will have price reductions ranging from $10 to $35.  Grandstand Level seats beyond the bases will remain at $20, while Grandstand Level seats between the bases will be $28. Non-obstructed Bleachers tickets will increase by $5."

Non-obstructed bleacher tickets will increase by five bucks?  Are you serious?  Last time I checked, we were still living in a recession, people can't find jobs, everything at The Stadium is already grossly overpriced, and now the Yankees want to jack up the price of the most affordable tickets in the place?

For shame, Yankees.  For shame.

Examining Possible Eduardo Nunez Trade Matches With The Braves

The biggest story to come out this past weekend was probably the "Braves being interested in Eduardo Nunez" rumors that sprouted up after the infamous "sources" stated that Atlanta was interested in the Yankees' utility infielder as a replacement for Alex Gonzalez at short.  Personally, I still can't fathom why so many teams and fans are so high on Nunez, but if this is real then it's certainly a path the Yankees should consider pursuing.  And with the slow pace that the Hot Stove Season is moving at right now, why not play the hypothetical trade game and look for potential trade pieces from Atlanta's side for Nunez.  Given the Yankees' needs this offseason, there are a few interesting possibilities out there on the Braves roster.

Brooks Conrad- 2B/3B

Hey, why not swap one utility guy for another?  Conrad is stuck behind Dan Uggla at 2nd and the Chipper Jones/Martin Prado duo at 3rd, and he would fit the bill of a solid defensive utility infielder that Nunez currently does not.

Conrad's also not a complete waste of space at the plate.  He's a switch hitter with good numbers against lefties (even if it was in just 24 AB in 2011) and the first thing that stands out is his BB rate, which has jumped to 9.0% in 2010 and 12.3% in 2011 as he started to get more plate appearances.  He also cut down on the K % a bit in 2011, a sign that even at 31 Conrad has some room to improve at the plate, and his contact rates show a guy who doesn't make a lot of bad contact on pitches out of the zone.  His GB/FB rate is solid, and he's got some pop in his bat for a little guy (career .199 ISO), so an appointment or two with renowned hitting doctor Kevin Long could help him maximize his skill set and tailor it to hitting in Yankee Stadium while cutting down on the swings and misses.

As a backup, Conrad brings more to the table than he takes off of it.  He can swing the bat a little, draws walks, can play 2 infield positions and probably SS if needed, and runs the bases well.  The addition of Conrad would cover the weaknesses present in Nunez's game that became more obvious when he was forced to play every day last season, and Conrad would have to be considered an upgrade at the utility IF position over the likes of Brandon Laird and Ramiro Pena.  Being an older player, the Yankees might even have room to get another prospect, albeit a low-level one, included in the deal for the younger Nunez if the Braves are that in love with him.

Jair Jurrjens- SP

This is the name that everybody talks about in relation to any potential trade with the Braves. And they are reportedly already entertaining offers for the 25-year-old righty, so I might as well discuss him.

On the surface, Jurrjens doesn't appear to be a good fit for the Yankees.  His fastball velocity and K/9 dropped to career-lows in 2011 at 89.1 MPH and 5.33 respectively, likely a result of the continuing injury issues that plague him.  At such a young age arm issues raise a big red flag, particularly when they appear to already be sapping a pitcher of his stuff.  And Jurrjens' inconsistent GB/FB rates should raise concern as to how his game would translate to pitching in the AL East and Yankee Stadium, especially if he's going to be pitching with a diminished fastball.

That being said, there are some things to like about Jurrjens.  He made a big improvement in cutting down on his walks in 2011, posting a career-best 2.61 BB/9.  And he is just 25 years old, presumably approaching the prime of his career with an already mature approach on the mound.  Working with Larry Rothschild could be just the thing Jurrjens needs to get the most out of his stuff and become a consistently effective pitcher.  And adding him through a trade lessens the commitment and risk the Yankees take on in terms of years and money.  He might not fit the bill of top-tier starter that the Yankees are looking for, but he's also not Brien Gordon or Sidney Ponson.  You can't say that Jurrjens in 2012 isn't a better deal than Freddy in 2011.

Arodys Vizcaino- RHP

This one is admittedly a bit of a pipe dream, but it would be nice to see if the Braves were interested in moving the kid who was a key prospect piece in the fateful Javy Vazquez Reunion Tour trade of a couple years ago.  Bringing Vizcaino back could be a way for Cash to help right some of the wrongs of that trade, and with where Vizcaino is with the Braves right now it isn't completely outside the realm of possibilities.

The Braves moved Vizcaino quickly through their system this year, giving him stops at all 3 MiL levels before calling him up for an audition late in the season.  Vizcaino was impressive in 97 combined MiL innings, striking out 100 while walking just 28.  But as he moved up through the system, he started being used more as a reliever than a starter.  And his 17.1 IP at the Major League level in 2011 were all as a reliever, with his BB/9 increasing dramatically to 4.67 while his K/9 dipped slightly to 8.83, still a good number but not representative of the stuff and command combo he exhibited in the Minors.

This transition from starter to reliever could signify some uncertainty in Atlanta as to how they see Vizcaino being used at the Major League level.  The trade of Derek Lowe could signify a willingness to let him compete for a rotation spot in 2012, but utilizing him as a reliever late in 2011 probably did more harm than good to his development as a starter, and the Atlanta bullpen is a bit crowded right now with the emergence of Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty, and Christhian Martinez in 2011.  If there is some internal waffling on what Vizcaino's future holds with the organization, now would be a perfect time for the Yankees to capitalize and bring his name up in discussions.

These are just 3 names that stood out most to me in looking at Atlanta's current roster.  I'm sure we could dig deeper into their farm system and find some attractive pieces as well or hypothesize about how to include Jason Heyward into a deal.  But a trade involving Eduardo Nunez isn't likely to be a blockbuster, and it would behoove the Yankees to not try to make it one and risk bringing guys like ManBan and Dellin Betances into the discussion.  They have needs, the Braves apparently have a want in Nunez, and that should be the main focus of the discussions.  While Atlanta currently has a high asking price for Jurrjens, that should come down if and when talks become real, and including guys like Conrad and Vizcaino in the talks should still allow the Yankees room to use their mid-level pieces to finish a deal if a trade became that involved.  Going back to what I said last week and what anybody with any sense would say, for the right deal nobody should be off the table.  And from a Yankee perspective, adding value at their positions of need for Eduardo Nunez would be the right deal.

Justin Verlander Is The MVP? Really?

Clemens '86- 254 IP, 24-4, 8.43 K/9, 2.37 BB/9, 2.48 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 8.0 WAR

Pedro '99- 213.1 IP, 23-4, 13.20 K/9, 1.56 BB/9, 2.07 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 12.1 WAR (only 31 GS)

Verlander '11- 251 IP, 25-4, 8.96 K/9, 2.04 BB/9, 2.40 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 7.0 WAR

I don't get it.  I really don't.  Looking back at the way the voting went when Clemens won in 1986 and this year, it looks like both he and Verlander benefited from the same thing- a bunch of other position player candidates who all had similar great seasons without any one player distinguishing himself as head and shoulders above the others.  But if Pedro Martinez didn't win the MVP in 1999 with those numbers then there's no way you can convince me that Justin Verlander deserved the award in 2011 over guys like Bautista, Granderson, or Ellsbury.  And remember, this is a guy who hates the Fraud Sawx more than anything saying this.

The media jumped on the Verlander bandwagon late in the summer and basically hand delivered the award to him, and that's just sad.  Cy Young?  sure.  But more valuable than those everyday players and the seasons they had?  Not on your life.  MLB should just change to Most Popular Player Amongst The Media Award, or MPPATM, starting next season because that's really all it is now.

P.S.- Yes, I'm a grown man who just used a WWE clip of The Miz to express my disdain for the AL MVP Award voting.  Suck it.

Darvish Posting Not A Sure Thing?

In an article for Yahoo! Sports, Jeff Passan discussed the latest in the Yu Darvish situation and shed some light on the workings of the posting system for Japanese players looking to join Major League teams, which I admittedly had no idea was such a thorn in the teams or players.  The piece suggests that Darvish being posted might not be the 100% certainty that everybody perceives it to be if he decides to stand up against the system.  Check out some of the quotes:

"Yu Darvish, in the words of a confidant, 'wants to change baseball in Japan.'”

“'I’m concerned we’re not going to see him for a few more years,' said another GM in a similar position. 'He’s not your average Japanese player. I get the impression he wants to stand for something.'”

"So whether it is speaking out about the posting system or coming out in such favor of staying that it would embarrass the financially troubled Fighters if they posted him anyway for the millions in revenue it would bring, Darvish does command a position of strength, publicly if not legally."

On the one hand, I would have to respect Darvish if he decided to take a stand against the current system and stay in the NPB League.  On the other hand, I would have to be pissed at Darvish for doing so because it would mean the Yankees have no chance to sign him this year.  I know I'll definitely be paying closer attention to this story over the next couple weeks now that there's a possibility of Darvish not being posted, and I'm sure the Yankees will be doing the same.

Yu Darvish, freedom fighter against posting system tyranny!